About this project

$40,643

pledged of $40,000 goal

213

backers

HOW TO BECOME AN EXTREME ACTION HERO tells the story of Elizabeth Streb, who many have called the Evel Knievel of dance. Streb’s choreography, which she calls “PopAction,” intertwines
the disciplines of dance, athletics, boxing, rodeo, and Hollywood stunt-work.
The result is a bristling, muscle-and-motion vocabulary that combines daring
with strict precision in pursuit of the public display of “real movement.” In
1985, Streb founded the world-renowned, award-winning dance company STREB, and
in 2003, she established a home for it at S.L.A.M. (STREB Lab for Action
Mechanics) in Brooklyn, NY. S.L.A.M.’s door is literally open for the community
to come in and learn to fly.

I have been a close friend of Elizabeth Streb for twenty-five years. Recently a light bulb went off for both of us: Why don’t we make a film together? Streb has given us complete access to her life and permission to document the STREB Company over the course of a year.

HERO will defy the traditions and expectations surrounding documentary film just as Streb has tested and transformed dance performance throughout her career. Using thirty years of archival video, plus comic book-style animation and HD footage, this film will trace Streb from scrappy youngster to movement visionary, ultimately
creating a fabric of
meaning through which viewers can approach their own mental and physical
limits.

You
ask, "I wonder how people perceive movement?" and I think that the disaster –
the failure of flight or the ultimate crushing and disintegration of the human body
– is really what movement is all about.

HERO is about to take off. $40,000 will help us launch. All of the money raised on Kickstarter will go towards production costs, including:

1. Filming in London as Streb and her company prepare for and execute One Extraordinary Day, a series of daredevil performances throughout London during the Cultural Olympiad. Legendary filmmaker Albert Maysles, who practically invented the
documentary form, will be shooting with director Catherine Gund in London.

2. Pulling together the Streb archive. We have boxes of VHS and Beta tapes, CDs and DVDs, spanning 30 years of Streb's work. We need funds to research, digitize and license this footage for use in the film.

3. Cutting a trailer. With our footage from London and the archival video, we will be working with our editors to cut an action-packed trailer. We need this for fundraising and development, as well as to get the word out about the film.

Elizabeth Streb, 2012

When people give money on Kickstarter, they want to know that the project is going to happen. We can say with 100% confidence: this film is happening! Our track record backs us up, too.

I have been a filmmaker for twenty-five years, and my production company, Aubin Pictures, has produced six feature-length documentary films. The films have broadcast on PBS’s Independent Lens, the Sundance Channel, and Discovery’s Planet Green. They have screened at festivals, theaters, schools and museums around the world. Making an independent documentary film takes a lot of time, work, and commitment. We have the skills and experience to make it happen.

We are incredibly grateful for any amount you can donate (all donations are tax-deductible!), and we can't wait to share the film with you.

“My adventure in life began with action, and I know it will end with action.”

Streb rehearsing in her studio, 1984

STREB Action Heroes at the Annenberg Center, 2000

STREB Company performing "Squirm," 2000

STREB performing "Speed Angels" during One Extraordinary Day in London, 2012

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

“Daredevil Status” Postcard from London + STREB sticker + thank you on the film website. The filmmaker will send you a handwritten HERO postcard from the London 2012 Festival. Sign up for this one fast - it expires on July 15!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

"Daredevil Status" An original 5X7 print from London + STREB sticker + thank you on film
website. What kind of magic happened in London? Get a peak, with this
beautiful hi-res snapshot taken during ONE EXTRAORDINARY DAY --
STREB’s daredevil marathon of events.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

“Extreme Arctic Swimmer Lynne Cox Status” A copy of Streb's book + STREB sticker + thank you on the film website. Feminist Press has donated 20 copies of Elizabeth Streb's 2010 memoir, filled with photos, stories and reflections of movement, space, gravity, as well as her life and art. Signed by Elizabeth Streb!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

“Human Spider-Man Alain Robert Status” Drop-in class at SLAM + thank you on film website. Go to your limit! Visit SLAM, the STREB Lab for Action Mechanics in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for a group class taught by one of Streb's amazing dancers. No need to be scared . . . you'll love it.

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Pledge $100 or more
About $100

"Performance Art Pioneer Marina Abramović status" An original 8x10 photographic print from London + your name on the film's website.
You will receive a one-of-a-kind photograph of the STREB performances at the London 2012 Festival taken by professional photographer and member of our crew Esy Casey.

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Pledge $150 or more
About $150

"Horse Diver Sonora Carver Status” STREB water bottle + thank you on the film website. It's important to stay hydrated when you are propelling up the sides of buildings. These water bottles are stainless steel and BPA-free.
Est. Delivery: Oct 2012

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Pledge $200 or more
About $200

“World-Renowned Stunt Man Jackie Chan Status” STREB sticker + 2 tickets to the next STREB show at SLAM in Brooklyn, NY + thank you on film website. Get the Streb treatment in person at the SLAM studio in Brooklyn. This season’s performances start in the fall.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

“Homemade Airship Pilot Lawnchair Larry Status” A year of free movies at Maysles cinema + thank you on the film’s website. You get a one-year membership to the Maysles Institute, which means lots and lots of free independent film.

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Pledge $500 or more
About $500

“Best Female High-wire Performer Bird Millman Status” Set of Marvel™ Hero cookies, home-baked and decorated by the filmmaker’s son (featured in our Kickstarter video) + thank you on the film website. We will ship these cookies anywhere in the U.S.!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

NEW REWARD! "Gold Medal Gymnast Gabby Douglas status" Drinks for two on us. Bring a friend and join filmmakers Catherine Gund and Tanya Selvaratnam at the watering hole of your choice in New York City. PLUS, get signed DVDs of their films "What's On Your Plate?" and "Our City Dreams," and a thank you on the film website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

“Magician & Escapologist Harry Houdini Status” STREB sticker + An invitation to the New York premiere + onscreen thank you. We will thank you personally in the film's credits, and thank you even more in person at the premiere!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

“Extreme High-wire Artist Phillippe Petit Status” Friend of Maysles Cinema membership + an invitation to the New York premiere + onscreen thank you + Official copy of the finished HERO film on DVD . This membership comes with a year of free films at Maysles cinema, invitations to special members only screenings, previews and events, your name listed in the Cinema lobby, and a Maysles Cinema Tote Bag.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $3,000 or more
About $3,000

“American Daredevil Evel Knievel status” Come to the VIP reception of the HERO premiere party The guest list includes Elizabeth Streb, Albert Maysles, filmmaker Catherine Gund, the STREB dancers and you! + signed official copy of the finished HERO film on DVD + onscreen thank you.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

“Lucha Libre Wrestler Status” STREB sticker +Lunch with the filmmaker + onscreen thank you + an invitation to the New York premiere. Join the filmmaker for lunch at La Esquina, for tacos and Lucha Libre decor.